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any of you had actually met Alpin of Briar Wood. If there was someone who could give me a picture of him.” She glanced at Talorgen; at Carnach. Warrior chieftains traveled widely and encountered many folk.
    “May I answer that?” It was the gray-haired councillor, Aniel. Bridei nodded. “Unfortunately, we must answer no,Lady Ana,” Aniel said. “We know Alpin only by reputation. He’s feared and respected among his own kind. His stronghold is isolated; it lies in a tract of dense forest. Such a setting can easily give rise to the type of rumors that feed on men’s natural unease.”
    “Choosing to live in a forest is not necessarily a bad thing,” Tuala commented. “The territories of the Caitt are full of such wild places,or so we are told. I suspect every chieftain wears his own particular cloak of tales.”
    “There was a mention of past history,” said Ana, who had found little of reassurance in Aniel’s words. “What history?”
    “Nothing specific,” Aniel said. “Some of Faolan’s sources hinted that Alpin liked to go his own way, that was all. Isolation breeds such men; they can be dangerous in times of war, for theirallegiances may alter with a change in the wind. Hence our pressing need to make a friend of this one. A marriage by summer, an heir within the year, that will be our best way of forging a bond that is strong and tasting.”
    “It’s that or eliminate the fellow.” Faolan spoke with no particular emphasis.
    “You would not wish to do that,” Ana retorted, “if you needed his fighting force on your ownside rather than the enemy’s.”
    Faolan’s eyes met hers for a moment and she shivered. They were dead eyes, the eyes of a man who has forgotten how to feel.
    “Precisely,” Talorgen said. “In fact, it’s vital that we prevent him from throwing his forces behind the Dalriadan resistance. We can’t afford to have him allied with Gabhran.”
    “I understand that,” Ana said. “Broichan, may I have your opinionon this matter?” As king’s druid, Broichan had the ear of the gods. When it came to it, if it was their will that she should agree to this, she must do so without hesitation.
    “Prior to Faolan’s return I cast an augury,” Broichan said in his deep, commanding voice. “My interpretation revealed a threat from the north. Unfortunately, reliable intelligence on the Caitt is very difficult to obtain.The region is a fastness, stark and mountainous, subject to extremes of weather that would test the most seasoned traveler.” He studied his long, bony fingers; a silver ring formed like a tiny snake with green jewel eyes glinted there. “The misgivings my vision aroused have now been reinforced by Faolan’s news. As a Gael, he may travel where others cannot. We must take swift action.”
    Ana clutchedher hands together behind her back. “I know I have to do this,” she said, holding herself straight and striving for dignity. “That doesn’t mean it’s something I’m happy with. What am I supposed to do if I get to Briar Wood and Alpin refuses? It’s a long way to go for nothing.”
    “He won’t refuse,” Aniel said, echoing Bridei’s sentiments of earlier in the day. The other men in the chamber noddedor murmured assent; Ana could feel their eyes on her golden hair, her figure in the blue tunic, her face, which one ardent suitor had assured her resembled a wild rose in bloom. She felt a flush of humiliation rise to her cheeks.
    “You do understand,” said Talorgen, “that if you are wed to Alpin, and he becomes our ally, it eliminates a very dangerous possibility that could otherwise greatly weakenour battle strategy. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’m sure you realize a seaborne force led by Alpin in support of Dalriada could spell ruin for our plans. On the other hand, should we gain some measure of control over this anchorage ourselves, that would be significantly to our advantage.”
    Ana looked at him. One would have thought that, as